Setting up a small business network

[lemonadesoda]

The "F" series is "Fast" ie 100Mbs, where the "G" series is "Giga" ie 1000Mbs.

FORGET the F series. For a small price difference you get G, more modern, more efficient chipset, and better BIOS.

If you want to know the difference between "smart" and "level 2 managed" and "level 3 managed" then go to the netgear site and look at and compare SPECs.

 

[lemonadesoda]

PS. DO NOT try to shave $100 from networking equipment by buying lower spec "F" (100 speed) equipment. It is plain silly. Please stop talking about the "F" series when EVERYONE in the thread has said go giga.

A smartswitch (netgear) IS a ProSafe.

ProSafe is their brand name for everything targetted for the business market. It usually comes in blue metal boxes with rackmount.

The "smartswitch" is the model range.

The GSX1234 is the model number.

ALSO, if you want to know more details about specific products, GO TO THEIR WEBSITE. We are not sales people nor on a commission!!! We have given you pointers, but we cant do your homework for you.

Good luck.

 

[Vayne]

PS. DO NOT try to shave $100 from networking equipment by buying lower spec "F" (100 speed) equipment. It is plain silly. Please stop talking about the "F" series when EVERYONE in the thread has said go giga.

A smartswitch (netgear) IS a ProSafe.

ProSafe is their brand name for everything targetted for the business market. It usually comes in blue metal boxes with rackmount.

The "smartswitch" is the model range.

The GSX1234 is the model number.

ALSO, if you want to know more details about specific products, GO TO THEIR WEBSITE. We are not sales people nor on a commission!!! We have given you pointers, but we cant do your homework for you.

Good luck.

Sorry, I edited my last post because you replied again after I posted it.

So, we need a gigabit switch and the F series isn't worth saving money on. My question was more on the difference between ProSafe and SmartSwitches, but now that I understand that I think we're going to go with the GS724T because it should fit all our needs.

I apologize for the stupid and annoying questions, but I was upfront from the beginning saying I didn't know a lot about this kind of thing so thank you for your patience. It's a learning process for me even with doing my homework.

 

[Deleted member 3]

For the server look to dual quad cores and 10-12Gb of RAM to support 15 users minimum on a server 03 or 08 box.

I'd look at what applications have to run in such circumstances.

You can easily run basic office on way less powerful machines for 15 clients.

 

[Disparia]

Vayne, how goes the network? Gone BOFH on anyone yet?

So, we need a gigabit switch and the F series isn't worth saving money on. My question was more on the difference between ProSafe and SmartSwitches, but now that I understand that I think we're going to go with the GS724T because it should fit all our needs.

Exactly, the price difference is not worth it.

I have a GS724T running out the sales dept as well as the 48port model back here in IT. Very basic Smart switch, but allows for adapter teaming on the servers. Supports four teams, which is good as I have four servers with teaming-capable adapters. Probably after the first of the year we'll be moving up to the GS748TP (and GS724TP for some departments) for PoE, LACP, and Voice VLAN as well as support for more teams (8).

 

[Steevo]

I'd look at what applications have to run in such circumstances.

You can easily run basic office on way less powerful machines for 15 clients.

True, but if you are running a inventory screen, point of sale, office, internet applications, etc..... most will benefit from at least 512Mb+ of free RAM per user after the general overhead.



For a basic sharing setup just plug all the machines into the switch, setup your shares and permissions and go.

 

[Disparia]

Perhaps, but I've seen a lot more done on a lot less hardware.

Not that I wouldn't load up a server, not with prices as low as they are. Got 24GB of FB-DIMMs and two Xeon 5405's in my Newegg cart right now ready to be ordered to upgrade a couple servers. All comes in under $1200. Very nice!